Pymmes Brook
Encyclopedia
Pymmes Brook is located in North London
and named after William Pymme, a local land owner. It is a minor tributary
of the River Lea. The brook mostly flows through urban areas and is particularly prone to flooding in its lower reaches. To alleviate the problem the brook has been culvert
ed in many areas. Part of it is a Local Nature Reserve
, Borough Grade II.
and flows in a south-easterly direction to merge with the River Lee Navigation
at Tottenham
. It passes through East Barnet
, New Southgate
, Arnos Grove
, Palmers Green
and Edmonton
. After flowing through Pymmes Park the brook can be seen at Fore Street, Edmonton before it flows underground and emerges south of the North Circular Road
at Angel Road, where it is joined by Salmons Brook
. The brook, now enclosed in a concrete conduit
, flows parallel with the River Lee Navigation
till it merges with the Lea below Ferry Lane A503 at Tottenham Lock
.
It also flows through a number of other open spaces, smaller parks, and greens.
follows the approximate course of the brook from Monken Hadley Common
to Lee Valley Leisure Complex
in Edmonton or alternatively to the River Lee Navigation
at Pickett's Lock
, Edmonton where the path joins the Lea Valley Walk
.
map of 1877. In c.1200 it was called, Medeseye that is ' meadow marsh-stream ' from Old English mæd' and sæge
During the Middle Ages, it was known as the Medesenge, in the late 17th century as Millicents brook then, by the late 18th century as Bell brook.
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
and named after William Pymme, a local land owner. It is a minor tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the River Lea. The brook mostly flows through urban areas and is particularly prone to flooding in its lower reaches. To alleviate the problem the brook has been culvert
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
ed in many areas. Part of it is a Local Nature Reserve
Local Nature Reserve
Local nature reserve or LNR is a designation for nature reserves in the United Kingdom. The designation has its origin in the recommendations of the Wild Life Conservation Special Committee which established the framework for nature conservation in the United Kingdom and suggested a national suite...
, Borough Grade II.
Course
The brook rises in Hadley WoodHadley Wood
Hadley Wood is a suburb of North London, close to the border with Hertfordshire. It is located in the London Borough of Enfield, about north north-west of Charing Cross and is situated close to Barnet...
and flows in a south-easterly direction to merge with the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
at Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
. It passes through East Barnet
East Barnet
East Barnet is an area of North London within the London Borough of Barnet bordered by New Barnet, Cockfosters and Southgate. It is a largely residential suburb whose central area, known locally as the Village, contains a variety of shops, public houses, restaurants and services. East Barnet is...
, New Southgate
New Southgate
New Southgate is a residential suburb in the south-east corner of the London Borough of Barnet and the south-west corner of the London Borough of Enfield in North London, England....
, Arnos Grove
Arnos Grove
Arnos Grove is an area in the south west corner of the London Borough of Enfield, England.It sits close to Enfield's borders with two other boroughs: Barnet and Haringey...
, Palmers Green
Palmers Green
Palmers Green is a place in the London Borough of Enfield. It is a suburban area situated 7.6 miles north of Charing Cross. Postally, it is in London N13...
and Edmonton
Edmonton, London
Edmonton is an area in the east of the London Borough of Enfield, England, north-north-east of Charing Cross. It has a long history as a settlement distinct from Enfield.-Location:...
. After flowing through Pymmes Park the brook can be seen at Fore Street, Edmonton before it flows underground and emerges south of the North Circular Road
A406 road
The A406 or the North Circular Road is a road which crosses North London, UK, linking West and East London. It, together with the South Circular Road, forms a ring road through the inner part of Outer London...
at Angel Road, where it is joined by Salmons Brook
Salmons Brook
Salmons Brook is located in the London Borough of Enfield and is a minor tributary of the River Lea. - Etymology :Salmons Brook is marked thus on Rocque's map of 1754, probably named from the family of John Salemon of Edmonton mentioned in 1274...
. The brook, now enclosed in a concrete conduit
Waterway
A waterway is any navigable body of water. Waterways can include rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, and canals. In order for a waterway to be navigable, it must meet several criteria:...
, flows parallel with the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
till it merges with the Lea below Ferry Lane A503 at Tottenham Lock
Tottenham Lock
Tottenham Lock is a paired lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Haringey, England and is located near Tottenham, London. Like other locks as far as Ponders End it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
.
Parks
The brook can be seen in the following larger parks;- Arnos Park
- Pymmes ParkPymmes ParkPymmes Park is located in Edmonton, London and is bordered by the North Circular Road.-History:The area known as Pymmes Park dates back to 1327 when William Pymme built a mansion here. Prior to 1578 the estate changed hands several times until Thomas Wilson a statesman bought the estate in 1579...
- Oak Hill Park
It also flows through a number of other open spaces, smaller parks, and greens.
Walking
The Pymmes Brook TrailPymmes Brook Trail
Pymmes Brook Trail is located in the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield and is just under long. It is named after William Pymmea local landowner between 1307-1327. The trail is between Monken Hadley Common and the Lee Valley Leisure Complex at Edmonton or alternatively the River Lee Navigation...
follows the approximate course of the brook from Monken Hadley Common
Monken Hadley Common
Monken Hadley Common is a Local Nature Reserve, Borough Grade I, in Monken Hadley in the London Borough of Barnet. It is owned by the Trustees of Monken Hadley Common....
to Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex
Lee Valley Leisure Complex is located at Edmonton, London and is part of the Lee Valley Park. It was formerly known as the Picketts Lock Sports Centre. It now comprises an 18 hole golf course which borders the River Lee Navigation, camping site, indoor bowls club , multiplex cinema and restaurants...
in Edmonton or alternatively to the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
at Pickett's Lock
Pickett's Lock (lock)
Pickett's Lock is a lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Enfield, England and is located near Edmonton, London. It gives its name to the surrounding area of Picketts Lock. In common with other locks as far as Ponder's End Lock it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
, Edmonton where the path joins the Lea Valley Walk
Lea Valley Walk
The Lea Valley Walk is a long-distance path located between Leagrave, the source of the River Lea near Luton, and the Thames, at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, east London. From its source much of the walk is rural. At Hertford the path follows the towpath of the River Lee Navigation, and it becomes...
.
History
The brook is marked thus on the Ordnance SurveyOrdnance Survey
Ordnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
map of 1877. In c.1200 it was called, Medeseye that is ' meadow marsh-stream ' from Old English mæd' and sæge
During the Middle Ages, it was known as the Medesenge, in the late 17th century as Millicents brook then, by the late 18th century as Bell brook.
External links
- River Lee tributaries
- Enfield information
- Pymmes Brook Trail
- British History Online - Edmonton (accessed 15 December 2007)
- London Wildweb - Pymme's Brook (accessed 15 December 2007)